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The nation's freshly appointed prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, is set to face her initial significant foreign policy challenge as she meets ex-President Trump for important talks in the Japanese capital.

The agenda of their summit is expected to center on economic and security issues, signaling a critical juncture for Tokyo's relationship with its influential ally.

A Notable Premiership and Global Introduction

The new PM, who just assumed the role of Japan's initial woman leader after securing the leadership of the governing Liberal Democratic Party, made her international debut at the recent ASEAN meeting.

However, her forthcoming meeting with Trump is considered the true test that will set the tone for future two-way relations.

Managing Domestic and Global Pressures

Takaichi faces a potentially shaky political landscape, having established a coalition that puts her a couple of votes short of a controlling number in the influential lower house of the Diet.

Consequently, her administration will depend on other lawmakers to approve legislation, adding a element of difficulty to her governance.

Common Perspectives and Differing Policies

She holds Trump's wariness of Chinese defense activities in the region, but both countries have experienced issues from his "US-first" economic policies.

Recently, Trump oversaw a truce deal between Thai and Cambodia forces during the initial leg of his Asia visit.

Defense Build-up and Budget Pledges

The leader has expressed her commitment to speed up Japan's military build-up, aiming to raise military spending to 2% of GDP by the close of the fiscal year.

This move aligns with a longstanding demand from Trump and signifies the largest military expansion for Japan since the Second World War.

Defense Cooperation and Tensions

Japan has also taken steps to obtain "retaliatory" abilities, including cruise missiles from the United States, and intends to deploy domestically developed extended-range missiles.

But, the two-way defense treaty remains a point of tension, with Trump earlier suggesting that the nation should pay more for stationing American forces on its territory.

Trade Expectations and Talks

Few anticipate major concessions on economic issues during the visit, especially after latest tariff adjustments offered a degree of relief to the country's export sector.

The PM is likely to seek further relief by committing to greater acquisitions of American goods, including pickup trucks, soybeans, and natural gas.

Personal Rapport and the Shinzo Abe Connection

The value Trump attributes to personal rapport could work in the PM's favor, given her strong relationship with assassinated former prime minister Abe, who was one of Trump's favorite world leaders.

Abe was the initial foreign figure to visit the then president-elect after his victory, and the two built a strong relationship over mutual interests such as golf.

Forthcoming Schedule and Regional Implications

The former president's visit to the country will start with a meeting with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace in the capital.

It will be followed by discussions with Takaichi at the state guest house, the same location where Trump held talks with the former leader in 2019.

Afterward, the former president will travel to the Republic of Korea for the APEC meeting, where he is scheduled to engage with Chinese leader Xi.